Mini Portraits

Carrie of WishWishWish.

Since starting up painting again, I've been doing a lot of these mini portraits (they are about the size of a coaster irl), firstly of random made up girls, then recently I've been trying to see if I can get a likeness to real people, painting a few of my favourite bloggers. I'd like to think I've at least half succeeded, haha, what do you think?

I also did quick ones from memory of me & my sister, in the ones above, can you spot us? The ones of Carrie, Ragini & Lauren are based on photos from their blogs, hope they don't mind me using them as references!

Ragini of A Curious Fancy.

Lauren of Pocket Rocket Fashion.

OOTD - Candy Pastels

Skirt - Littlewoods // Blouse - ASOS Curve // Cardigan - H&M // Shoes - ASOS // Bag - ASOS //Tights - (embellished) We Love Colors // Headband - (altered) Primark // Octopus Ring* - Oborocharms // Flower Ring - Primark // Tea Cup Ring - Dolly Darling // Other rings - Handmade // Sweater Guard - Handmade

Decided to try out my new tights - think I am a bit in love with them! They are subtle but still a bit different. Anyway, I shall stop waffling on about tights now :P The rest of the outfit, I decided to try out the candy pastel trend, not that I haven't worn similar things before. Candy pastels are right up my street, so with my candy pink hair & new mint blouse from ASOS, I think I made the look mine?

Thanks for all your comments on my last post - I'm so glad you like my paintings & don't just think they are crappy, haha! A few of you have asked about commissions/me selling them. I'm not entirely sure yet, but I think if I did, I would start with those mini circle portraits (see my Tumblr for more sneak peeks-tried practising yesterday with some of my fav bloggers!). What do you think?

Crafting & Painting

I've been feeling really creative recently, so I've got back into painting, which I hadn't done in so long (I think since early 2010!!!!). These are illustrations I've done over the past week. I really need to buy some new paper/sketchbook, I'm just using whatever I can find at the minute. It's nice to do something after so long, I don't really know why I stopped, but it's been a nice relaxing way to spend my evenings.

I also went a bit mad at the weekend & spent a small fortune on craft supplies (mainly for my shop, but some bits for me!), & got a hot fix tool & gems. I've studded a pair of my tights, after being inspired by Bebaroque tights, which are stunning, but waaayy out of my price league (& size, for that matter!). The crystals cost me about £10, so it wasn't extraordinarily cheap (must remember to search eBay for cheaper crystals next time!!), especially when you add in the cost of the tights, but they are really pretty, & I think worth it!

I bejewelled them whilst wearing them to get the placement right, but the tools does say not to touch & I can confirm that you really don't want it touching your skin! The crystals stay hot for ages after too, so I did burn myself a few times, before I went & put on thick over the knee socks under the tights to protect my poor legs! I don't really recommend that you do it that way, haha!

I also made the tulle skirt I talked about in this post, another cheapie DIY! I accidentally made it a bit on the small side though, so I can't get it over my hips, only dragged down across my head! Oops!

Whilst I was painting, I thought I may as well decorate the boxes for Dolly Darling that just arrived with pretty pink hearts. Cute, non?

Anyway, hope I haven't bored you too much, but I do like to mix up my blog & not just have it be about fashion, after all the clothes that I wear/buy aren't all that I am, hehe! :P

Doggie Snaps

Charlotte came over today & we spent ages just snapping random pics of us & the doggies. Thought it might be nice to share them here as I haven't really posted any here for ages!

Hope you enjoy them as much as we did taking them xx

OOTD - Bows, Spots & Pleats

Dress - Littlewoods // Cardigan - Dorothy Perkins // Knitted Bow Headband* - Beau xoxo // Boots - ASOS // Belt - Littlewoods

Wearing my new knitted headband from Beau xoxo, whilst trying not to smile awkwardly & failing miserably! :P Georgie, the owner of Beau xoxo kindly sent it over for me to try out. Her shops stocks lots of cute hair accessories, including these knitted bow headbands, glitter bows, knitted turbans & garlands. I'm not wearing it in the usual way, it doesn't look right on me just pulled over my head, I don't think I suit them that way, but I like it worn like a normal stretchy headband. Makes a change from my velvet New Look one, & keeps my ears much warmer :P

Ring - DIYed // Bracelet - Dolly Darling

If you read my sister's blog, you might have seen this dress before, on her! We live apart now & we keep choosing to buy the same things! Last week we met up & both had the same bag, luckily it hasn't happened with us wearing exactly the same dress yet, that might be awkward! Our mum used to occasionally dress us the same (there's a 2 year age gap!), but wearing the same things now might look a little ridiculous:P

Although whilst in Wales last time, in Bets y coed, I did see 2 fabulous old ladies (think they were sisters, possibly twins but not identical), wearing matching outfits, from top to bottom. I thought they looked awesome, but I don't think anyone else thought so! They were definitely very chic, with long pleated skirts & cream cable knit cardigans. They even had a miniature poodle, which was so cute, but unfortunately not one each :P. I desperately wanted to ask them for a pic, but was too shy! Maybe we should dress up the same, might be fun :P What do you say Charlotte?

Dolly Darling Giveaway

To celebrate my 2nd blog birthday (at the end of this month!!), & passing over 3000 followers, I've decided to have a Dolly Darling giveaway! I wanted to make it extra special, so this time there will be 5 lucky winners, who will each win a £20 spend at dollydarling.com!

To enter -

Post a comment on this post, with your email, saying what you would buy if you won!

That's it! The giveaway is open internationally, until the 1st of February. 5 winners will be picked out randomly from the comments. You may enter only once!! You must also leave your email for me to contact you if you do win!

Shopping & Fashion

Have any of you shopped with JD Williams before? They are under the same group as Simply Be, which both send out catalogues so you can browse at home & either place your order by post, or online.

I have shopped with Simply Be & Simply Yours before, and although JD Williams is focused more at an older age range, I often find that you can get some nice pastel knitwear in "old" shops. I always have such a problem finding pastels aimed at my age group! They often have pretty detailing like pointelle knit too, which again can be difficult to find in trendier plus size shops. Just a tip for those of you that are plus size lolitas/just like pastels! Although I even managed to find this ^ cute bright pink spotty cardigan whilst browsing the site before, along with some more girly pastelly ones.

Disclaimer: This post is in partnership with JD Williams, however all opinions are my own & I will never be paid to promote any brands I have not tried myself.

OOTD - Granny Chic

Skirt - Ebay // Shirt - Littlewoods // Cardigan (hand embellished by me) - Littlewoods //Shoes - ASOS // Bag - Suzy Smith // Collar Brooch - Dolly Darling // Tea Cup Ring - Dolly Darling

Spent ages sewing on these pretty appliques & beads to my cardigan, worth it though I think? Wearing my new, recently shortened, pleated lavender skirt, was a bit long before, but a steal on Ebay for £8! :P

Also tried out a top knot/bun for the first time, I like experimenting with my hair. Makes a change from just leaving it down all the time!

Georgina xxx

Random Bits & Pieces

My Cosmo Award arrived the other day (the first time it got sent out it was smashed, so has taken awhile to arrive), so thought I'd take a few pics to show off it's new home. Now proudly positioned next to some photos of my babies! Really love the illustration (by Ros Shiers), & willing to overlook the fact that my blog name is still wrong, because I still can't believe I actually won! Thank you so much you guys<3

In other news, I have been trying to curtail my excessive shopping habit, & have been failing miserabley! I now have a vintage lavender pleated skirt (oh so gorgeously granny chic!), plus a "nude" angora blend beaded cardigan, patent dolly shoes, & 5 metres of pastel pink tulle on the way to me. I have been sticking to only buying what I truly love thing though, I'm not just buying for the sake of it. I think :P

Anyway, I can't wait to make a pink tutu skirt with the tulle, (ala Ouma-wish I could afford one of those!), I've been desperate for one for a while now, so thought I'd make my own. So instead of £180, I've spent about £30 on materials, which is much better for my wallet. It's the time that goes into sewing that really costs the money though, & the skill, it certainly isn't all that easy to make something vaguely wearable. Luckily I have both the time & (I hope) the skill! :P

NOTD

For some reason these remind me of the circus..?

OOTD - Wool & Fur

Skirt - Handmade // Cardigan - H&M // Faux Fur Collar - Evans (altered) // Shoes - ASOS // Bag - ASOS // Bow - New Look // Earrings - New Look

Finally getting the hang of liquid eyeliner -it's about time :P

Only new item in this outfit is my bag - I just had to get it after seeing it on Carrie. It fits my dslr in perfectly ♥

This year I really want to stop buying so much, I've made a pledge to only buy what I truly love, & try to save at least as much as I spend. This is going to be hard, haha! I really want to save up for a better camera & lens though, & they certainly don't come cheap :(